Those headers have really thin flanges which doesn't help. When you shop for new headers, get ones with 3/8" flanges. You don't have to use D-port headers either but you do need to ensure you get full coverage of the port by the header primary.

You may be running lean which is why you're blowing out gaskets so easily. Have you pulled the plugs to see how they look? It could be leaning out after it leaves the engine which is the same way the air pump works. It's worth a check of the plugs while they're easy to access.

Absolutely LOVE the car! Fantastic work - keep it up.

Yes all this little stuff can really test your patience. It just goes to show that getting the car running is only half the battle... you need to leave time and consider all the tweaking and tuning that comes afterwards. Like you said, hopefully it will be worth it afterwards! Love your car by the way, may have to go with a Holley system like you soon!

Thanks for the tips... I think new headers are in my future. I had the plugs out and they all looked uniform and a light tan color. I've had a suspicion that it's running a bit lean as well but haven't had a chance to look into data logging yet.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...17f366bc_z.jpg

Thanks!

That plug doesn't look bad to me.

We're casually waiting for a nice starter car and yours is a great inspiration. Thanks

Finally back with an update! I focused 100% on the car in the month or 2 leading up to the UMI autocross so I had some catching up to do once I got back home. As you'll read below I also broke my torque arm at the event so I've been waiting on some parts while I catch up on everything else.

Quick summary of the UMI autocross event: It was a great time! Despite all of my concerns and having maybe 20 test miles on the car, it did great. The car started and ran fine, despite still having some slow throttle response. I took it easy on the first couple of runs but slowly ramped it up from there. I had some rubbing issues in the back that I discovered once i started pushing the car a bit. I had brought some spare spacers I had lying around and some others were very generous to let me borrow some. I kept adding spacers every run and once I pieced together the right combination that I needed, I measured the stack and was able to order some nice aluminum spacers to work. Summit was actually on-site and I was able to order the spacers and get them delivered the next day right to the track. Nice!

On the second day, I on one of my last runs in the morning session I heard a loud bang after a particular corner where you come off the banking and into the infield section of the course. I backed off and limped the car back to the pits and it was pretty obvious what the issue was, my torque arm was in 2 pieces! This pretty much ended my day, and luckily this was a UMI hosted event so I was able to have a couple of their engineers take a look at my car and recommend the pieces I needed to get her back up and running. Thanks Ramey!

Overall, UMI puts on an awesome event and I would highly recommend it to anyone. They have created such a cool facility for autocrossing and their events are run top-notch and super smooth. Lots of runs throughout the day with minimal downtime. I'll be back next year for sure!

UMI was pretty backed up with their orders and I just got all of my pieces last week so I'll be sure to document the installation and also show how my old torque arm broke (it was an older Spohn piece). For now here's a photo dump from the weekend:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c22060d1_z.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c94d8987_z.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...1d68f7b3_z.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...916c4e7a_z.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...335965d1_z.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...c263f796_z.jpg

UMI is full of great peeps...and they put on top notch events as well.

Can't wait to see you back out on track with the updated parts.

https://www.lateral-g.net/forums/cac...46f13bc9_c.jpg

Those wheels look great with the car/color combo :beavis:

Cool car! There was a nice Iroc in my hometown back in the early 90's that I raced with my old Monte Carlo with a 327. I always liked them. I'll be looking for a father/son project in the not to distant future. Maybe I'll buy an Iroc.

The value is going up on them, Todd. Check out Bringatrailer.com or speak with Marty. He's been keeping an eye on them, too.


Really glad to hear the car did well aside from the torque arm. It looks great hauling ass around the track.